MIT Woman Assaulted on Fringe of Campus

By Eva Moy
News Editor

An unidentified female MIT freshman was assaulted Sunday while walking
along Massachusetts Avenue near Albany Street at 6:30 p.m. A Roxbury man
has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and
assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, according to Campus
Police Lieutenant David W. McCoy, who heads the special services
division.

The attack occurred in front of Building N10, according to Campus Police
Chief Anne P. Glavin. The 18-year-old student and her friend were walking
along Massachusetts Avenue toward Central Square.

The woman was walking with a wallet in her hand when Ronald McMillan, 30,
punched her in the mouth, Glavin said. She fell to the ground, still
holding her wallet. Then McMillan hit her on the head with a radio he was
carrying, Glavin added.

Campus Police Patrol Officer Paul J. Baratta, who happened to be patrolling
the area, apprehended McMillan almost immediately after the assault, Glavin
said. A passerby also identified the assailant, she added.

The student was treated and released at the MIT Medical Center, Glavin
said.

McMillan was turned over to the Cambridge Police, who held him in custody
until his arraignment yesterday afternoon, according to McCoy.

The pre-trial hearing has been set for Sept. 30, according to McCoy.
McMillan remains in the county lockup in East Cambridge. His bail was set
at $10,000, McCoy added.

"All I can say [about the assault] is that it is unfortunately a part of
urban life," said Glavin.

The assault is not connected with Friday night's stabbing. But the two
incidents are similar because, although they did not technically occur on
campus, they happened "on the doorstep" of MIT, she added.

Students "just have to be aware when [they] walk out to the streets,"
Glavin said. "Darkness is starting to creep in earlier."